Hanging out tonight with Armenians of New Zealand!

Here we are posing in front of a beautiful basalt stone monument of the Armenian Alphabet located at the local community center.

It was made in Armenia in the "khachkar" or cross-stone style which is typical of many first century churches. It was commissioned here a few years ago and represents the love shared between two peoples of different nations, united in love and respect for one another.

Noobar and friends: Thank you for your gracious hospitality and "hooyrasirootioun!"

Reminded of the famous quote by William Saroyan, Armenian Poet:

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia. See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.”

WILLIAM SAROYAN